Begonia plant named ‘BRXCA17’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Begonia rex cultorum  cultivar named ‘BRXCA17’ is disclosed, characterized by an rose colored foliage with a metallic sheen, vigorous year round growth, including the dark winter months. The flexible petioles characteristic of the new variety resist breakage. The new variety is a  Begonia , and is normally used as an ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Begonia rex cultorum.

Variety denomination: ‘BRXCA17’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated as the result of a crossing performed in 2008 of the unpatented seed parent variety Begonia rex cultorum ‘Lalome’ with the pollen parent, the unpatented variety Begonia rex cultorum ‘Red Rocket.’ The new variety was discovered by the inventor, Gary Crook, a citizen of the United States, at a commercial greenhouse in Scotts Mills, Oreg. during 2008, among a planting of seedlings resulting from the previously mentioned crossing.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘BRXCA17’ was first performed in Scotts Mills, Oreg. in 2009, by vegetative leaf cuttings. ‘BRXCA17’ has since produced several generations by vegetative leaf cuttings and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘BRXCA17’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘BRXCA17.’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘BRXCA17’ as a new and distinct Begonia rex cultorum cultivar:

-   -   1. Strong rose colored foliage with a metallic sheen     -   2. Vigorous, year round growth.     -   3. Unique rapid growth habit at lower temperatures.     -   4. Flexible petioles, resisting breakage.     -   5. Medium sized leaf, for this category of Rex Begonia.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘BRXCA17’ are similar to plants of the seed parent variety, Begonia rex cultorum ‘Lalome’ in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘BRXCA17’ produce foliage that is rose colored, whereas ‘Lalome’ produces a lavender colored foliage. Additionally, the new variety produces leaves that are 20-25% smaller than ‘Lalome’ and shorter petioles as well.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘BRXCA17’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent variety, Begonia rex cultorum ‘Red Rocket’ in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘BRXCA17’ produce foliage that is rose colored, whereas ‘Red Rocket’ produces red and black colored foliage. Additionally, the new variety produces leaves that are 20-25% smaller than ‘Red Rocket.’ Additional differences are that ‘Red Rocket’ has brittle petioles that are prone to breakage, while ‘BRXCA17’ produces flexible petioles, and ‘BRWCA17’ continues to grow during the short days of winter, while ‘Red Rocket’ stops growing during short days.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘BRXCA17’ are similar to plants of the unpatented commercial variety, Begonia rex cultorum ‘Raspberry Swirl’ in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘BRXCA17’ produce smaller leaves, with more metallic shine appearance and a more intense color, on a fuller, bushier plant. Additionally ‘BRXCA17’ is faster growing and continues to grow more consistently during the dark winter months than ‘Raspberry Swirl.’

Plants of the new cultivar ‘BRXCA17’ are similar to plants of the unpatented commercial variety, Begonia rex cultorum ‘Marvelous’ in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘BRXCA17’ grow faster, both under winter and summer conditions. Specifically, ‘BRXCA17’ can be commercially finished 2 weeks faster under summer conditions, and 4 weeks faster under winter conditions than ‘Marvelous.’ Additionally the new variety grows significantly faster under lower night temperatures, and produces a fuller, bushier plant under winter conditions than ‘Marvelous.’

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘BRXCA17’ grown in a greenhouse. The pot size is a commercial 6 inch pot. The plant shown is approximately 6 months old. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘BRXCA17’ plants grown in a commercial controlled greenhouse in Oxnard, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 15° C. to 28° C. during the day and 18° C. to 22° C. at night. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Begonia rex cultorum ‘BRXCA17’ -   Age of plant described: Approximately 6 months. -   Container size of plant described: 6 inch pot.

PROPAGATION

-   Type of propagation typically used: Vegetative leaf cuttings. -   Time to roots: About 25 days at approximately 20° C. -   Root description: Dense and fibrous.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Upright growing, outwardly arched fleshy annual. -   Pot size of plant described: 6 inch. -   Height: Approximately 24 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 33 cm. -   Growth rate: Rapid. -   Branching characteristics: Basally emerging foliage, no actual     branches, only petioles

FOLIAGE

-   -   -   Type.—Single, basally emerging foliage and long petioles.         -   Orientation.—Outwardly or upwardly facing foliage.             Approximately 75° to 90° angle from petiole.         -   Strength.—Very strong, and flexible, resists breakage.         -   Texture, top surface.—Rugulose, mainly non-pubescent. Oldest             leaves develop infrequently occurring, very fine, appressed             hairs, approximately 0.5 cm in length and colored near RHS             White N155A.         -   Texture lower surface.—Main surface non-pubescent, veins             mildly pilose. Hairs approximately 0.1 cm long, colored near             RHS White 155C.         -   Appearance.—Overall metallic shine to upper surface. Under             surface somewhat shiny in the interior, leathery appearance             towards margin.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 8 fully expanded mature leaves and             approximately 16 immature leaves.         -   Shape of blade.—Reniform.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Cordate, asymmetrical.         -   Margin.—Dentate.         -   Aspect.—Recurved.

-   Mature leaves:     -   -   Average length.—Approximately 16 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 10 cm.         -   Color.—Mature foliage upper side: Near petiole attachment:             RHS Greyed-Green N189A, speckles of Greyed-Purple 186C. Mid             section Greyed-Purple 186C. Wide margin, approximately 3 cm             from edge, Greyed-Purple 187D with irregular lines of             Greyed-Green N189A, speckles Greyed-Green 191C. Mature             foliage under side: Near petiole attachment: RHS             Greyed-Purple N186C. Mid section Greyed-Green 191C, flushed             Greyed-Purple N186C near veins. Margin, approximately 1 cm             from leaf edge, Greyed-Purple 186A.         -   Venation.—Type: Palmate. Venation color upper side: From             Petiole attachment to approximately ⅔ length of blade             colored near RHS Greyed-Purple N186A. Outer ⅓ near             Greyed-Green 191A. Venation color under side: Near RHS             Greyed-Purple 187A.

-   Immature leaves:     -   -   Average length.—Approximately 12 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 8 cm.         -   Color.—Immature foliage upper side: Near petiole attachment:             RHS Greyed-Green N189A, speckles of Greyed-Purple N187C. Mid             section Greyed-Green 191C. Margin, approximately 1 cm from             edge, Greyed-Green N189A, speckles Greyed-Purple 186B.             Immature foliage under side: Near petiole attachment: RHS             Greyed-Purple 187C. Mid section Greyed-Green 191A, flushed             Greyed-Purple 187A near veins. Margin, approximately 1 cm             from leaf edge, Greyed-Purple 187A.         -   Venation.—Type: Palmate. Venation color upper side: From             Petiole attachment to approximately ⅔ length of blade             colored near RHS Greyed-Purple N187C. Outer ⅓ near             Greyed-Green 191C. Venation color under side: Near RHS             Greyed-Purple 187A.         -   Petiole.—Length: Average Range Approximately 13 to 15 cm.             Diameter: Approximately 0.6 cm. Color: Near RHS Greyed-Red             181C. Texture: Pilose. Hairs approximately 0.3 cm long,             colored near RHS White 155C.         -   Stipule description.—Length: Approximately 2.3 cm. Length             includes 0.9 cm awn. Diameter: Approximately 1 cm. Apex:             Aristate. Base: Truncate. Color: Near RHS Greyed-Red 181A,             upper and lower. Texture: Upper Surface: Glabrous. Lower             Surface: Pilose. Hairs approximately 0.1 cm, colored near             RHS White 155C.

FLOWER

-   Flowering habit: Rarely flowering -   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Single flowers very     infrequently seen in leaf axil. Normally nor more than one or two     flowers per plant plant open at one time. -   Flower longevity on plant: About 2 days. -   Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-Cleaning. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Flattened sphere.         -   Length.—Approximately 0.8 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.8 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Red 51A. Apex and base near Yellow-Green             144B.         -   Texture.—Pilose. -   Flower size:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 2.6 cm.         -   Depth.—Approximately 1.2 cm. -   Tepals:     -   -   Quantity.—Approximately 5.         -   Arrangement.—Radial.         -   Length.—Approximately 1.1 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 0.8 cm.         -   Shape.—Oval.         -   Apex.—Obtuse.         -   Base.—Rounded.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Aspect.—Flat.         -   Texture, upper surfaces.—Glabrous.         -   Texture, lower surfaces.—Glabrous.         -   Upper surface appearance.—Shiny.         -   Lower surface appearance.—Matte.         -   Color.—When opening, upper surface: Near RHS Red 55C. When             opening, lower surface: Near RHS Red 55B, base near 55D.             Fully opened, upper surface: Near RHS Red 56C. Fully opened,             lower surface: Near RHS Red 55D. Fading to, both sides: Near             RHS Red 56D. -   Flower bracts: Not observed. -   Peduncles:     -   -   Length.—Average Approximately 7.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.2 cm.         -   Strength.—Moderate, flexible.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Appearance.—Matte.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 146A. -   Pedicels:     -   -   Length.—Average Approximately 0.6 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.1 cm.         -   Angle.—About 15° to the peduncle.         -   Strength.—Moderate, flexible.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Appearance.—Shiny.         -   Color.—Near RHS Red 56B near lower end, near Yellow-Green             146C near flower attachment. -   Fragrance: Sweet.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—Approximately 3. -   Anthers:     -   -   Description.—Heavily ruffled.         -   Length.—Approximately 0.4 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow 7A.         -   Pollen.—Not observed. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—Approximately 0.4 cm.         -   Style.—Length: Approximately 0.2 cm. Color: Near RHS             Green-Yellow 1C.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Columnar. Color: Near RHS Green-Yellow 1C.             Ovary Color: RHS Green-Yellow 1C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not Observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     diseases or pests has been observed in this variety. -   Temperature tolerance: The new variety tolerates temperatures from     approximately 0° to 35° C. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named ‘BRXCA17’ as herein illustrated and described. 